Travel back in time to a place in South Carolina’s history when there were fewer people and even fewer automobiles on our highways. In many ways life was much simpler back then. Thank goodness our roads have expanded and grown in efforts to keep up with the population explosion that’s occurred in The Palmetto State in the last century. It must be a daunting, never-ending task to keep up with it all.
These 21 rare photos provide a glimpse into the past and a keen look at how the state has managed to update South Carolina’s roads and bridges over the last century. We even tucked in a few shots of ferrys that used to haul people over waterways before all the bridges were built. Take a look.
Greenwood's busy Main Street in May 1953. I love the iconic "Bank of Greenwood" sign in the top left of this photo and all the old cars diagonally parked on the right side of the shot.
Wooden slats line the floor of a bridge this school bus is crossing in 1952. Workers are building a bridge replacement in the foreground of this shot. This photo was taken on S.C. 901 in Chester County, crossing Rocky Creek.
The lookout from S.C. 107 in Mountain View has long been a favorite spot to gawk at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. This photo was taken in August of 1952.
Recognize this place? Things sure change. This shot was taken on U.S. 17 at the Georgia border crossing of the Savannah River, on the South Carolina side.
Do you recognize this section of Coleman Boulevard from this photo taken in January 1959? You might if it included the giant parking garage that's here now.
Before convenient bridges were constructed, ferries served as the main way to get your vehicle across a body of water. Here, Ashe's Ferry carries a truck from one riverbank to another while another vehicle approaches the chute on the far side, waiting for his turn on the ferry. Taken in Lancaster County in 1950.
Wow. This was Charleston's busy Highway 61 in 1940.
In March of 1917 South Carolina passed the State Highway Act, thereby establishing the South Carolina Highway Commission. The agency is celebrating 100 years this year. Our hats are off to the folks who take the pothole complaints, who fix roads, build roads and watchdog the safety of our bridges. Thanks for all you do.
If you want to see more rare photos from the past, The SCDOT Facebook page is celebrating the agency’s Centennial by posting a nostalgic photo every day in 2017.
